Hi,Scott.Unfortunately,This is NOT Mr.Shiro Ito.His name is Haruo Suzuki who is very famous person in Men's fashion market in Japan,and as you know he is up many times on your blog.Yes,he is involved this project,and his comment is mentioned on the velt of this book.So,maybe he just wants to introduce this book,and let me explain that title "TAKE 8 IVY" comes from a number of 8 universities of "IVY LEAGUE".